Saturday, January 26, 2019

Time to reflect on last year with excellence, nostalgia and lest we forget embarrassment and disgust. 2018 captivated us with a slue of outstanding films, spanning from action blockbusters to super-hero gems, from fairy-tale wonders to historical dramas and terrifying thriller, remakes and sequels - most of which rocked our world. Because we all know with every stellar/ground breaking film there are always a few poopers that rear their ugly heads. With that said, here are my Top Ten Best & Worst Movies of 2018.

More like a fallen franchise. HEY-OH! The characters are barely developed, their
motivations seem flimsy, and the film's third act (set in a cavernous
private mansion) is just plain ridiculous. And don't even get my started on the abuse of these animals. GAH.

I think I got whiplash from my head banging against the back of my seat from the idiotic plots and subplots of this flick. The third installment in the mind-numbing franchise clearly wants to be abused, mocked and ridiculed by the audience. The
difference between that and real S&M is that there is no safe word
we can use to make this horrid movie stop hurting our eyes. Actually, my safe word is "just pass."

If you're saying to yourself you've never heard of this movie, you're not alone. I feel like I'm the only one who saw this last year. This horror movie contributes very little in terms of narrative, scares or imagination. It's
just not stylish enough to be a decent film and
it’s not cool enough to distract us.

More like I wish I could turn back time and delete this from my evenings events. This dud is a perfect example of a film aiming valiantly for the stars, but unfortunately, it falls flat on its face. I believe I even fell asleep while watching this bore-snore.

The worst part about this lame horror flick is the shame of how cool it thinks it really is. Sort of like the
class dork posing as the class clown. The movie did have promise, but in the end it was straight up laughable, hokey and unoriginal. Pretty sure a scary movie is supposed to be, um, scary. #amiright

Even with my super low expectations this movie still managed to disappoint and annoy. This big-budget, deep-sea sinker is nothing more than a mindless, bloodless summer filler. I would have liked to have seen the movie Eli Roth would have made. Originally, he was attached to direct and star in, but he left due to creative differences. Now I'm understanding why.

I can't even with this movie. I don't don't know where to begin so I'll just say this... If
you are ever sucked up into an alien spacecraft, and the
extraterrestrials offer you a choice between getting probed with their
instruments or watching Venom then OK, fine, option B, but
still.

Let the guilt and dread and spooky atmosphere and oh, yes, ensuing madness commence! Oh, wait, wrong movie. It's cute how Lionsgate really wanted their own little "Conjuring" franchise. And while this pooper did hold potential, in the end it was a ghastly train-wreck.Two words: BORE-ING.

I saw a lot of doozies last year, but this takes the cake. Taking the real heroes from this true-life event and placing them behind the camera isn't the worst idea Hollywood has ever had, but it's also not the best either. It's clear these men are not actors. In fact, their acting was so bad I almost walked out of the theater. Stretching a real-life event, all of which took roughly 20 minutes, into a feature length film is what we call unnecessary, boring and a drawn-out, waste-of-time-mess.

I simply loved this movie! A fine companion piece to the original. That doesn't mean I can ignore its problems, but I did leave the theater feeling something had been restored in me rather than taken away. It's well crafted, well acted, and features some terrific live-action/animation combos, costumes and music. Afterwards, I quickly bought the soundtrack. It's fantastic! Emily Blunt does a great job filling Julie Andrews shoes too. Sure, it's not going to hold the stellar magic of the OG, but it's still a delightful return to the story we all cherish and love. "So, perhaps we've learned when day is done, some stuff and nonsense could be fun!"

There are so many cute-but-disposable animated features every year, but there
always manages to be one or two that steals just a little of Disney's thunder. Last year, that film was the effortlessly (and unexpectedly) charming Warner Bros. release of Smallfoot. Half-comedy, half-adventure, and 100 percent insightful. This flick flew under the radar, but make no mistake it's definitely worth your time. It's cute, fun, funny and it has such a positive message that is quite relevant given today's climate. I simply love this charmer.

One of the many elements that makes this movie so remarkable is director Lanthimos’s fisheye-lensed cinematography and his comedic characterization of his cast - who entertain themselves by racing ducks, shooting birds and throwing fruit at naked men. His three female leads, meanwhile, are equally tremendous - pitiful and bitter Colman, cunning and ruthless Weisz, and clever and amoral Stone.I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this film!

This popcorn flick is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their
extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury, who defied stereotypes and
shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on
the planet. Rami Malek knocked it out of the park with his portrayal of the rock legend himself! And while it doesn't do the best job following history, it's still wildly entertaining, exciting and just plain cool. If you're even the slightest fan of this rock band this movie is a must-see!

This incredible true story is both an emotional drama as well as an educational piece to those who
know little about conversion therapy. Every so often a powerful/deeply moving film comes along that you're absolutely glad you saw, but have no need to see it again. That doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it, because I definitely would. While it's super uncomfortable in parts, it's also incredibly gripping. Overall, it's a heartbreaking tear-jerker, but mover over, it's an eye-opener at the very least.

This modern-day horror flick is fantastic on all accounts! It's about a family of four who must navigate
their lives in silence after mysterious creatures show up and hunt by sound - the family's survival is ultimately threaten. John Krasinski hit a home run when he wrote, directed and acted in this awesome thriller! You won't be disappointed! It's fresh, it's engaging and it's an undoubtedly taxing affair on the nerves.

A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver of an
African-American classical pianist who goes on tour through the 1960's
American south. Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen vibe so well together with such
attention and subtlety that they avoid the cliches or
sentimentality that might be the normal byproduct of their
scenes. It's eye opening, funny, charming and quite lovable.

Who knew the sixth installment in the franchise
would be the best one yet. I mean, c'mon! This is one terrific thriller that holds
some of the best action sequences around. It’s kind of like action
poetry. It's smart story-telling, with edge of your seat intensity, jammed packed with crazy thrills. You will not be disappointed. Oh and did I mention Henry Cavill is in it?#dayum

Bradly Cooper killed it with his first directorial debut! Despite its long history and many incarnations, Cooper manages to bring something authentic and new to the table with his iteration of a classic film story. The chemistry between Cooper and Lady Gaga felt so real! It was simply intoxicating. This show stunner does an excellent job touching base on hard hitting and relevant topics as well. It's fantastic!And it's going to take home some Oscars too.

This docu-drama explores the epic story about how a bureaucratic Washington insider
quietly became the most powerful man in the world as Vice-President to
George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we
still feel today. Why this movie works so well is McKay's direction - it plays back and forth in time giving it an extremely interesting and fresh feel. It's clever, it's surprisingly funny, it's ruthless and wildly entertaining. Christian Bale is superb and knocks it out of the park! #GrandSlam Do I hear Oscar calling?

"So we gonna do this thing, or what? I mean, is this happening?"

There ya have it folks - 2018 in a nutshell. But with that now behind us, it's time to look ahead. This coming year is going to be amazing! There are a ton of superior movies at our doorstep. We have Star Wars episode IX, Steven King's terrify horrors - Pet Sematary and IT: Chapter 2. Not to mention the fantastical movies Disney has is store with Dumbo, Aladdin, Lion King and Infinity War: Part 2. It's an exciting year for film!

Did your best/worst movie of 2018 make the cut? Something I missed? Let me know what your Best & Worst movies of 2018 were and why.

Monday, January 7, 2019

A big part of Hollywood film is the build-up, which is why it is a common practice to release trailers for trailers these days. Over the years movie trailers have become their own magnificent works of art, reaching new heights and bounds of excellence. Trailers are a huge deal - their popularity is really only second to the movies themselves. Some might even say trailers are better than the real McCoy. And, of course, there are those that are simply the tip of the iceberg.

So what makes a trailer great? Great trailers "tease" without revealing too much. They build excitement for the movie while giving the audience an alluring taste of the final product. And they always leave you wanting more.

Below are some key ingredients for a great trailer:

1. The two minute mark. Trailers now-a-days can give WAY too much upfront. If by the end you feel you saw the whole movie then what's the point in actually seeing the whole movie? Keep it tight, keep it simple. Less is more.2. The set up. Too often trailers give us too much information regarding the plot or not enough. Successful trailers find that sweet spot right in between. 3. Introduction. If you have a star studded cast, it's easy to get wrapped up in giving everyone face time. Instead, great trailers focus on two or thee characters that will get the audience excited. 4. Music. Music is crucial! Music evokes emotion and emotion drives movement. If the music genuinely reflects the mood of the movie, you’re golden. 5. Capture the mood. Great trailers focus on emotion instead of just plot points. It gets the audience excited to enter whatever world they're trying to sell you.

With that said and in no particular order I give you my Top Ten Best Movie Trailers of 2018.

Ready Player One(Trailer 2)If there's anything we take away from this trailer it’s that nothing exceeds like pure imagination. Using popular music is pretty commonplace when cutting trailers now-a-days, and no trailer last year excelled more than adding the remake of "Pure Imagination” by Bryan Nguyen (feat. Merethe Sotvedt) to the dreamy, insane tone of the trailer. It's beautiful, exciting and captivating. Brilliant!

Bohemian Rhapsody(trailer 1)I mean, C'MON! One can't deny the pure genius behind one of the most explosive trailers of 2018. It's handcrafted to perfection! It has it all - action, intrigue, excitement and boldness. And one can't have a trailer about one of the greatest bands ever without sprinkling Queen tunage in the mix. The songs were perfectly matched to every beat. We will Rock You!

The Girl in the Spider's Web (trailer 1) Sure, the movie was less than stellar, but as a stand alone work of art, this trailer flies off the charts. It does a superb job grabbing your attention right off the cuff, which is the sole purpose of a good trailer. It's dark, it's moody, it has edge and lastly it's extremely hypnotic in every way that counts. Perfection!

Dumbo(trailer 1) Dumbo was always one of the most heartbreaking stories of the Disney classics. And this remake, directed by Tim Burton, is ready to pull those heartstrings once again when one of the most innocent & sweetest characters in cinema flies onto the silver screen via live-action. This trailer is visually stunning, but it's the emotional punch it packs that hits home. The enchanting story and music are both phenomenal. I cannot wait to own the soundtrack! And I'm super-duper escited to see the movie!Release Date: March 29th

Won't You Be My Neighbor?(trailer 1)This trailer explores the late Rogers’ life in a deeply meaningful way, one that goes behind the TV personality that kids and adults everywhere have come to know and love. The music masterfully matched the tone of the trailer so beautifully one can't help but feel uplifted afterwards. And hopefully, this movie will inspire a new generation of neighbors to be a little kinder to one another.

White Boy Rick (trailer 1)There is something totally cool about this trailer, and it has everything to do with the music, the era (I'm obsessed with the 80's), the stylings, and of course the gritty story, all of which intrigue us to the max. While the film portrays itself as a Matthew McConaughey-starrer, the main character is actually played by Richie Merritt. This actor came out of nowhere. Not too shabby for your first film debut! I wasn't the biggest fan of the movie itslef, but this trailer kills it!

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (trailer 1)This trailer unleashes monstrous proportions of excitement! What's so remarkable about it is how beautiful the story unfolds - downplaying the massive creature in favor of an intense monologue... #brilliant In voice over we hear Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) offer up reasons for earths destruction, all backed by Clare De Loon. In fact, this duo is precisely why this trailer makes the list. It is absolutely mesmerizing! Plus, I'll see anything Eleven is in. #amiright This movie is going to be huge! "Long live the King."Release Date: May 31st

Mission: Impossible - Fallout(trailer 1)It's never wise to underestimate the stylings of Tom Cruise. Say what you will about the guy, he sure knows how to deliver a superb action flick. This trailer is an absolute marvel! It stokes up a sense of jaw-dropping next-level action sequences that have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The crisp film-editing and matching blows from that bathroom fight scene, set to the beat of Imagine
Dragons’ Friction, is a master-stroke. And extra points to Henry Cavill for dramatically reloading his bicep guns. Um, yes please!

Shazam! (trailer 1)It's no secret things around DC haven't always been the greatest. However, post Wonder Woman and Aquaman things are slowly looking up. Case and point - Shazam! Basically, this story finds the middle-ground between the grown-up wish-fulfillment of Big and the teenage superhero of Spider-Man. This trailer shines with pops of witty banter, fun visuals, and what looks to be a delightful central performance by the gorgeous Zachary Levi. Also, I'll see anything Jack Dylan Grazer is in. Needless to say, I'm excited for this popcorn flick to shine on the big screen!Release Date: April 5th

Right from its opening needle-drop to the tune of the Motown hit ‘This Old Heart Of Mine’, the first trailer for Drew Goddard's mystery is stylized beautifully. This thriller is both promising, vibrant yet playful. The spot-on retro
set design, the dreamy cast of shadowy customers, and the tantalizing teases circling the creepy hotel is exactly why this insane trailer made the cut. Tell me you're not intrigued.

Trailer editing is very much a work of art and when done right it's a thing a beauty! The end product can motivate, captivate and generate major buzz-feed. Was there a particular trailer in 2018 that you remember being wicked-awesome? Feel free to share your opinions in the comment section below.

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Movie Quote:

"I don't know what space exploration will uncover, but I don't think it'll be exploration just for the sake of exploration. I think it'll be more the fact that it allows us to see things. That maybe we should have seen a long time ago. But just haven't been able to until now."

Sound Clip

Did you know?

Some of the scenes were filmed at the Coachella Festival in 2017, where Lady Gaga was the first female headliner in ten years. Festival-goers paid ten dollars to see the scenes being filmed, although recording devices were locked away to prevent any footage being leaked.

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About Me

I feel film matters because we use it to tell stories about who we are as a society. They are a record of what makes us human and what concerns us in our everyday lives. Film has the power to transform emotions and it gives us opportunities to expand our horizons. It has the power to connect us to a whole new world outside our own. It's magical. Moreover, film is the most prevalent form of communication and entertainment in the postmodern world. Even while we are mindlessly absorbed in a favorite entertaining past time, we are subtly and unconsciously washed with layers of cultural values. Some films are fleeting entertainment while others are truly magnificent, dazzling, thought-provoking works of art.
Long Live Film!